FBI gets 60 days to file charges against headley

Washington, Nov 11: A court has given 60 days to FBI to complete its probe and file an indictment into the foiled terror plot in India and Denmark by Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Chief Judge James F Holderman has extended till Jan 1, 2010, to file indictment for US national David Coleman Headley, arrested along with Canadian citizen of Pakistani-origin Tahawwur Hussain Rana by FBI on charges of plotting terror attack in India.

"This court finds that the ends of justice served by extension weigh the best interest of the public and the defendant in a speedy trial, because the failure to grant such an extension would deny the government the reasonable time necessary for effective preparation of the evidence for presentation to the Grand Jury, taking into account the exercise of due diligence," Judge Holderman said in his order.

Earlier, FBI had requested the court to give it more time to complete the investigation and file the indictment.